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Court remands six over alleged kidnap, murder of Unical Professor
The Federal High Court in Calabar has ordered the remand of six suspects over the alleged kidnap and murder of a professor at the University of Calabar and other related offences.
The suspects, Patrick Essien Etim, also known as PATO; Etim Effiong Eyo, also known as IT-CAN-HAPPEN; Anthony Essien Etim, also known as HUMBLE; Bassey Anthigha Asuquo; Isaac Uwem Ekpeyong, also known as Kemzy Stunt; Ekpeyong Effiok Eyo, also known as YOBO; and Imoh John Udofa, also known as IMOPART — were remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Afokang, Calabar South.
Presiding over the case, Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oshoghorie of Federal High Court 2 gave the order after hearing an ex parte motion filed by the State Security Service in suit No. FHC/CA/M10/26: State Security Service v. Patrick Etim & six others.
The court directed that the suspects remain in custody pending further proceedings in the matter.
The security agency sought leave of court to detain the suspects pending further investigation and legal advice.
Granting the application, the court ordered that the defendants be kept in correctional custody pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The matter was adjourned to April 21, 2026.
Operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, arrested the suspects between December 2025 and January 2026 after investigations into alleged kidnapping and related criminal activities within Calabar and its environs.
The suspects are linked to the kidnapping and death of the late Prof. Ekanem Phillip Ephraim of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, as well as the alleged abductions of Mrs Eme Udeme Daniel, Dr. Roland Ipuole, Francis Kibe and James Osim.
They are also being investigated over alleged vandalism of public electrical infrastructure in Calabar.

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